Links for 20/1/2008

I have been overdosing on tech news lately so I am trying to redress the balance by returning to a mainstream news diet:

1) The feelgood factor | Economist.com
The Economist has an in-depth special report on corporate social responsibility– the good, the bad and the ugly. Observations include the emergence of the corporate version of the peace corps–companies sending employees on month-long “do good” assignments abroad.

2) Japan’s Best Sellers Go Cellular – New York Times
Japan is always interesting to watch when it comes to trends in the mobile space. Cell phone novels sound instant and quirky. As someone with a passion for literature, I think the use of the mobile phone as a medium will have a profound impact on narrative structure and form of the novel.

I have always thought that the obsession with constant happiness is a peculiarly American phenomenon that has, unfortunately, infected the rest of the world. The Economist tells us “happiness” has become a new growth industry. That is a sad statement on the state of Civilization!